Attention all Marvel fans! The much-anticipated first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has landed, giving us our initial glimpse at Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach portraying Marvel's iconic First Family. Alongside them, we get to see the charming robot companion HERBIE and a vivid showcase of the film's retro-futuristic art design. This trailer sets a unique tone, distinguishing it from other MCU projects. As we eagerly await the film's release on July 25, 2025, one character stands out—Galactus, the devourer of worlds.
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While we catch only a fleeting glimpse of him, Galactus appears to be much closer to his comic book counterpart than in the previous attempt seen in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Let's delve into why The Fantastic Four: First Steps is poised to finally honor this iconic Marvel character.
Who Is The Devourer of Worlds? Galactus Explained
For those unfamiliar with Galactus, let's explore his history in the comics. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #48, Galactus began as Galan, a mortal from the universe before ours. Surviving the Big Bang by merging with his universe's sentience, he was reborn as Galactus, a colossal entity who sustains himself by consuming life-bearing planets. Over time, he employed heralds like the Silver Surfer to scout for suitable worlds.
During his first encounter with the Fantastic Four, the Watcher, breaking his non-interference vow, warned the team of Galactus' arrival. Despite battling the Silver Surfer, the Fantastic Four couldn't prevent him from summoning his master. Galactus arrived to devour Earth, but the Human Torch managed to retrieve the Ultimate Nullifier from Galactus' worldship, Taa II. Mr. Fantastic's threat to use it forced Galactus to spare Earth and leave, though not before exiling the Silver Surfer.
Galactus has since remained a pivotal figure in the Marvel Universe, facing off against the Fantastic Four and other heroes like Thor, with his backstory being fleshed out further. Although not traditionally evil, his need to consume planets for survival makes him a morally complex character. Despite his significance, previous big-screen attempts have failed to capture his essence—until now.
The Second Coming of Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Galactus has made numerous appearances in various media, including the '90s Fantastic Four cartoon and Marvel vs. Capcom 3. However, his sole cinematic appearance before The Fantastic Four: First Steps was in Tim Story's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, where he was disappointingly portrayed as an indistinct cloud rather than his iconic purple-armored self.
From the trailer and a drone light show at last year's San Diego Comic-Con, it's clear that The Fantastic Four: First Steps aims to correct this by staying true to Jack Kirby's original design. Marvel's choice of Galactus as the villain for this reboot is telling, especially considering the wealth of other FF baddies available. With Robert Downey, Jr.'s Doctor Doom likely reserved for future Avengers films, the focus is squarely on delivering a faithful Galactus debut in the MCU.
This is particularly crucial given the MCU's recent struggles during the Multiverse Saga. Having exhausted many villains, Galactus remains one of the few with the stature to potentially rejuvenate the franchise. A successful Galactus adaptation could boost excitement for the upcoming Avengers films, where the Fantastic Four are expected to play major figures.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps - Trailer 1 Stills
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During the time when the Fantastic Four were sidelined due to the Fox-Marvel rights dispute, fans expressed more interest in seeing their villains like Doctor Doom, Annihilus, and Galactus in the MCU. Now, with the team's return, and the current run by Ryan North on the comics being highly praised, there's renewed enthusiasm. Galactus and other associated characters might just be the key to revitalizing the MCU post-Multiverse Saga.
Galactus is undoubtedly one of the most compelling figures linked to the Fantastic Four, and it's high time we see him in his full glory on the big screen. As we approach the film's release this July, the trailer suggests that The Fantastic Four: First Steps is taking promising initial strides.
